At the banquet, the women were chatting enthusiastically.

But Consort Yu couldn’t bring herself to be happy.

The Empress understood her concerns.

Jiang Yan was the daughter of a convicted minister, had no reputation, and was merely a concubine’s daughter—she was indeed unworthy of marrying the Crown Prince.

Consort Yu’s reaction was, therefore, understandable.

Speaking of Jiang Yan, Jiang Yuanxi still remembered her clearly.

[“Sister Yan and the Eldest Prince have gone through two lifetimes before finally coming together. They are truly a match made in heaven.”]

This marriage was something she had personally arranged.

Otherwise, as the book had predicted, Jiang Yan would have become the male protagonist’s concubine, while the Eldest Prince would have ended up as the female protagonist’s ultimate simp—losing everything in the process.

Fortunately, she had managed to break up both couples and prevent those events from happening.

She really was a born savior.

Below, Consort Yu trembled slightly—she had misunderstood Jiang Yuanxi’s words.

Two lifetimes?

She had originally planned to arrange a proper wife for her son and take Jiang Yan as a concubine. But now, it seemed that was no longer possible.

At that moment, the Eldest Prince seized the opportunity. He rose from his seat and stepped forward.

“Mother.”

He knelt on the ground. “I ask Mother to grant me a marriage.”

No one had expected this turn of events.

The Empress glanced at Consort Yu before shifting her gaze to the Crown Prince.

“Moxie, which noble lady have you set your eyes on?” the Empress asked knowingly.

The Eldest Prince understood that Jiang Yan’s low status would be an issue.

Even if the Empress agreed, his mother would not.

“I want Jiang Yan to be my legitimate wife.” By saying this in front of everyone, even if his mother objected, she would have no choice but to agree.

Consort Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

So Yuanxi was right.

Her son had really fallen for Jiang Yan.

Although the Empress was the mother of all the princes, she had never been one to interfere much in the affairs of the concubines’ children.

“Consort Yu, what do you think of the Eldest Prince’s request?” she asked for Consort Yu’s opinion.

Consort Yu hesitated.

Jiang Yuanxi was getting anxious.

[“Auntie, quickly agree! If you do, there will be triplets!”]

Consort Yu, who had been looking down, suddenly brightened up.

The Eldest Prince, on the other hand, blushed—a rare sight. If it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t reveal Jiang Yuanxi’s inner thoughts, he would have wanted to shut her mouth.

But… could Yan’er even handle having triplets?

The Grand Princess laughed. “Consort Yu, Mo Xie has been leading the army at the borders for years. Now that he has finally taken a liking to a girl, you shouldn’t stand in the way.” She teased.

The Eldest Prince grew more anxious. “Mother, Yan’er and I truly love each other. Please grant us your blessing.”

[“Triplets, Auntie, triplets!”]

Consort Yu finally let out a laugh. “I agree.”

“Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Royal Mother. Thank you, Yuanxi.”

Jiang Yuanxi: …?

Why thank me?

On the other side of the banquet, hearing that the Eldest Prince’s marriage had been settled, Consort Chen became restless.

“Your Majesty, could you also help me find a suitable match for Yun’er? My head is about to explode from thinking about this.”

Lately, she had been considering various options.

She had finally found a few suitable candidates, but since it was her daughter’s marriage, she had to be extra cautious.

She turned her gaze to Jiang Yuanxi, who was in the Empress’s arms.

The Empress asked, “Consort Chen, do you have any candidates in mind?”

Consort Chen immediately handed over a prepared list with three names—each carefully chosen.

“Your Majesty, these are the young men I have selected. Their family backgrounds, appearances, and character are all excellent.”

The Empress glanced at the list, found them acceptable, and deliberately placed the paper in front of Jiang Yuanxi.

[“Zhao Anzhi, the son of the Minister of Justice? No, no, he’s no good. Even the illegitimate son raised outside is older than me.”]

Consort Chen was shocked—Zhao Anzhi had an illegitimate son? The people she sent to investigate hadn’t discovered this at all!

[“Liao Zhengsong from the Ministry of Revenue? No, not this one either.”]

Consort Chen frowned. Why not again? Was Jiang Yuanxi doing this on purpose?

How accurate could a child’s words be?

The Empress pointed at Liao Zhengsong’s name. “Yuanxi, what do you think of this one?”

Jiang Yuanxi shook her head vigorously.

“No, no.”

[“He’s impotent!”]

“Cough, cough, cough—” The Crown Prince almost spat out his tea.

Liao Zhengsong? He knew the guy. He never expected him to have that problem!

Just yesterday, Liao had even asked him about Yun’er. Clearly, this man was not to be trusted.

With two names rejected, Consort Chen was at a loss.

Arranging a daughter’s marriage had always been a headache for parents.

Princess Jun Yun, seeing her mother’s distress, comforted her. “Mother, if there’s no suitable match, I won’t get married. I’ll stay by your side.”

“Nonsense!”

Consort Chen scolded her lightly. “No noble lady stays unmarried.”

Meanwhile, seeing that the Eldest Prince had successfully proposed, Liao Zhengsong suddenly gathered his courage and stood up.

“Your Majesty, I would like to ask for the hand of the Princess.”

He had already heard that Consort Chen was inclined to match her daughter with him.

If he took the initiative, the Princess would surely be his.

As for any small personal matters—those could be dealt with after marriage.

Just moments ago, Consort Chen had found Liao Zhengsong acceptable. But now, she wanted to tear him apart.

If her daughter married him, wouldn’t she essentially be a widow in a living marriage?

Liao Zhengsong knew about his own condition yet still dared to seek the Princess’s hand in marriage!

It was outright disrespect toward the royal family.

The Empress was furious.

“I heard that Lord Liao has been unwell. Conveniently, I have an imperial physician here. Let him examine you.”

The ladies present were puzzled.

Liao Zhengsong was considered a promising young official—why did the Empress suddenly insist on a medical examination?

Liao Zhengsong panicked.

“Your Majesty, I’m fine. I’ve recovered long ago.”

If the truth came out, he’d be guilty of deceiving the throne.

The Eldest Prince was thoroughly disgusted with him.

“Why are you so nervous? It’s just a pulse check.”

Liao Zhengsong wanted to flee, but the Crown Prince clamped a strong hand on his shoulder, preventing him from moving.

The imperial physician examined him, then glanced at him with a grave expression.

“Your Majesty, Lord Liao suffers from a severe deficiency of Yang energy and cannot be cured.”

A deficiency of Yang energy?

Incurable?

Wasn’t that just another way of saying he was impotent?

The physician sure was tactful.

Liao Zhengsong knelt on the ground, speechless.

“How dare you deceive the court and still seek to marry a royal princess?!”

The Empress was furious. “Do you realize your crime?”

“…I do.” There was nothing he could say to defend himself.

He should never have gambled his future by toying with the royal family’s honor.

The Empress composed herself. “You are an official of the court. The Emperor will decide your punishment.”

“Guards, take him away!”

Consort Chen squeezed her daughter’s hand, now immensely grateful to Jiang Yuanxi.

Princess Yun sighed. “Mother, maybe I really am destined to stay unmarried. Even fate is on my side.”

Consort Chen glared at her. “Nonsense!”

Jiang Yuanxi turned to the last name on the list.

[“The third one…”]

Consort Chen held onto her last shred of hope.

[“Haha! Auntie Chen, all your choices are terrible. This third guy is currently in a brothel!”]

All hope was crushed.

Princess Jun Yun secretly worried—was she really going to be single forever?